# Mods for my Mazdaspeed 3

**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590
**Category:** Builds
**Created:** [February 22, 2010, 10:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590 "2010-02-22T10:32:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/1 "2010-02-22T10:32:13Z")

</div>

Getting around to doing some mods finally.

First up was a simple boost gauge install.

something like this, just with a different gauge

![http://www.therpmstore.com/images/MZ3VentPod_pic2.jpg](http://www.therpmstore.com/images/MZ3VentPod_pic2.jpg)

Also put in a short shift plate. Looks like this, except no dumb engraving.

![http://www.jamiesplanet.com/images/IMG_7119.jpg](http://www.jamiesplanet.com/images/IMG_7119.jpg)

replaced the weak rubber bushings on the shifter assembly to crisp up the feel of the shifter. Those 2 mods were less than $60 bucks and make a world of difference.

This weekend, it was time to step it up a notch. Went ahead and installed this guy (stock image):

![http://www.motorspeed.com/sitepix/products/koni_sportkit.jpg](http://www.motorspeed.com/sitepix/products/koni_sportkit.jpg)

Result:

 ![http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll126/boardjnky4/koni/2010-02-21131751.jpg](http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll126/boardjnky4/koni/2010-02-21131751.jpg)

I’ll have to get some better pictures of the car soon. I have been slacking on keeping it clean, and taking pictures.

My plan right now is:

Strip side molding  
Smoked side markers  
Wheels (not sure what route, but I think I am going to step down to 17s)  
Black Vinyl roof  
Hawk Pads

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Sansone](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sansone/32/4970_2.png) [@Sansone](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sansone)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/2 "2010-02-22T10:36:20Z")

</div>

Wow that’s low for springs. :tup: looks good

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Geehee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geehee/32/7238_2.png) [@Geehee](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geehee)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/3 "2010-02-22T10:37:44Z")

</div>

hows the ride with it that low?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/4 "2010-02-22T10:38:20Z")

</div>

The springs are actually made for a standard Mazda3, and Koni says they will lower a mazda3 by 1.5". I think the ride height on the mazda3 is ~.5" higher than the Mazdaspeed 3. So this should be 1" lower than stock. I forgot to measure before though.

> [@Geehee](#):
>
> hows the ride with it that low?

awesome

Speed bumps haven’t been an issue at all. My driveway has a steep end though, and I almost tore the bumper off pulling out the first time. It’s actually pretty comfy for a lowered car. The GF didn’t mind riding it at all. She said it didn’t feel a whole lot different.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Clean\_Baldy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/clean_baldy/32/7308_2.png) [@Clean\_Baldy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Clean_Baldy)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/5 "2010-02-22T10:40:32Z")

</div>

The MS3 always looks better dropped on coilovers than the MS6. :tup:

Are there many MS3 and MS6 there?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/6 "2010-02-22T10:41:43Z")

</div>

> [@Clean Baldy](#):
>
> The MS3 always looks better dropped on coilovers than the MS6. :tup:
> 
> Are there many MS3 and MS6 there?

I see a pretty good amount of mazdaspeed3s. One guy that I see a bunch always gets really excited and waves like crazy lol.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![OfficerK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4da419/32.png) [@OfficerK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/OfficerK)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/7 "2010-02-22T10:47:44Z")

</div>

I like my altezza side markers!

I stripped my side moldings as well, it was pretty easy. I didn’t even use a heat gun as suggested.

How do you like the shifter plate? I was considering getting it but have read some mixed reviews.

I did the shifter bushing mod and that gave such a great feel. Also switch over to synthetic gear oil, it is a night and day difference.

You will also want to get a rear motor mount asap, another cheap and very effective mod

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/8 "2010-02-22T10:49:47Z")

</div>

yeah I know that I need the rear motor mount. I’ve just been being cheap since I bought these.

The shift plate is awesome. Sure beats paying the premium prices for shirt shifters too. I’ll have to look into the gear oil. Is it a PITA to swap it out?

I need to get some goo-gone to do the side moldings.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![OfficerK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4da419/32.png) [@OfficerK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/OfficerK)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 10:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/9 "2010-02-22T10:57:18Z")

</div>

Nah, changing to syn is no harder than an oil chage…maybe easier. There is a really good write-up somewhere on the interwebz with pics and everything.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![glitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/0ea827/32.png) [@glitch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/glitch)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 11:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/10 "2010-02-22T11:45:19Z")

</div>

Looking good, I love Mazda3 wagons! And that boost gauge is sweet, better than the ricer pillar ones.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/11 "2010-02-22T12:04:58Z")

</div>

Looks great, Tom.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/12 "2010-02-22T12:14:37Z")

</div>

looks gooooood :tup:

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![upstateclipse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/upstateclipse/32/7348_2.png) [@upstateclipse](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/upstateclipse)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/13 "2010-02-22T20:37:57Z")

</div>

Great looking car, I’ve always liked these

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/14 "2010-03-09T13:50:52Z")

</div>

YAY for some decent pics, all washed up and settling in nicely

![http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4414845804_993244a750.jpg](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4414845804_993244a750.jpg)

![http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4414845448_57c10123e5.jpg](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4414845448_57c10123e5.jpg)

![http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4414076145_cb38b42eda.jpg](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4414076145_cb38b42eda.jpg)

![http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4414075735_91e9515f19.jpg](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4414075735_91e9515f19.jpg)

![http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4414843392_fbf112ca77.jpg](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4414843392_fbf112ca77.jpg)

![http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4414842988_270c5f7ea6.jpg](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4414842988_270c5f7ea6.jpg)

![http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4414074551_4c9ec2613f.jpg](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4414074551_4c9ec2613f.jpg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mods-for-my-mazdaspeed-3/79590/15 "2010-03-11T15:40:12Z")

</div>

looks good :tup: what wheels were you thinking of getting?